If you struggle with allergic conjunctivitis, scleral lenses may offer the relief you need. These lenses create a protective barrier that shields your eyes from allergens while keeping them hydrated throughout the day.
Scleral lenses are larger than standard soft lenses. They vault over the entire cornea and rest on the sclera, the white part of your eye. This creates a fluid-filled chamber between the lens and your corneal surface.
The chamber holds a sterile, preservative-free saline solution. This design provides continuous hydration and cushioning for your eye's surface. It also acts as a barrier against allergens that could otherwise cause inflammation and discomfort.
By covering your eye's surface, scleral lenses physically block airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander from reaching your cornea. This protective layer reduces the allergic response that leads to redness, itching, and irritation.
The gas-permeable material allows oxygen to pass through while maintaining a sealed environment. This means your eyes stay healthy and protected without sacrificing breathability.
The fluid reservoir created by scleral lenses plays a key role in managing allergy symptoms. The saline solution continuously hydrates your cornea and helps neutralize tear-film hyperosmolarity, a condition where tears become too concentrated and contribute to inflammation.
This steady moisture is especially valuable during allergy season when your eyes are more vulnerable to dryness and irritation. The hydration layer helps reduce the overall inflammatory response and keeps your eyes comfortable even in challenging environments.
The lens maintains a constant, smooth surface over your eye. This minimizes optical distortions and provides clearer, more stable vision throughout the day, even when allergens are present in your environment.
Unlike soft lenses that can move and shift on the eye, scleral lenses stay in place. This stability means fewer fluctuations in your vision quality during daily activities.
Each scleral lens is individually designed for your specific eye shape and size. This precise fit promotes comfort and optimal performance. A tailored fit also helps reduce mechanical irritation that might occur with a loose or poorly-fitted lens.
Allergy season can be hard on sensitive eyes. Scleral lenses shield your cornea from allergens while delivering consistent hydration. This helps reduce inflammation, dryness, and blurred vision caused by allergic reactions.
Many patients find that scleral lenses allow them to spend more time outdoors during peak pollen seasons without the constant discomfort they experienced with other lens types.
Unlike traditional contact lenses that can dry out, scleral lenses maintain a reservoir of saline against your eye throughout the day. This continuous moisture alleviates discomfort caused by dry eyes and helps reduce the overall inflammatory response.
The fluid reservoir acts like a protective bath for your cornea. It dilutes any inflammatory substances in your tears and provides a buffer against environmental irritants.
Reusable soft contact lenses can become a magnet for pollen, dust, and tear proteins during allergy season. This buildup often leads to irritation, redness, and itchiness. Daily disposable lenses offer some relief, but scleral lenses provide more complete protection for moderate to severe allergy sufferers.
The rigid gas-permeable material of scleral lenses resists protein and allergen deposits better than soft lens materials. This means less buildup and more consistent comfort over longer wearing periods.
Many patients with allergic conjunctivitis also experience dry eye symptoms. Scleral lenses address both conditions at once by providing allergen protection and continuous moisture. Patients with conditions like Sjogren's syndrome often find significant relief with scleral lenses.
If you are unsure if your symptoms are related to dryness or allergies, you can use our dry eye quiz to help understand your condition better.
Use approved cleaning solutions daily to remove debris, proteins, and allergen buildup. Regular cleaning maintains clarity and extends the life of your lenses.
When filling your lenses or addressing dryness, use preservative-free saline and artificial tears. Some patients react to preservatives found in multipurpose solutions. Using preservative-free options helps prevent inflammatory responses that could worsen allergy symptoms.
Before inserting your lenses, rinse the inside of the lens bowl with sterile saline solution. This removes any residual allergens or debris and prepares your eyes for the protective benefits of the lenses. Fill the lens completely before insertion to avoid trapping air bubbles.
On days when pollen counts are high, try to limit your time outside during peak hours. Consider wearing wraparound sunglasses over your scleral lenses for added protection. Use air purifiers indoors, especially during peak allergy seasons, to reduce airborne irritants in your home and workspace.
Pay attention to how your eyes feel throughout the day. If you notice increasing redness, pain, or sudden vision changes, remove your lenses and contact your eye doctor. These symptoms could indicate a problem that needs prompt attention.
Over time, debris from tear film, lipids, mucins, and inflammatory cells may build up in the fluid reservoir. This can cause intermittent blurring known as midday fogging. If this happens, you can remove the lens, rinse it with sterile saline, and reinsert it.
Dr. Nathan Schramm, OD, FSLS, FBCLA has developed protocols for managing midday fogging through lens design modifications and specialized coating treatments.
Allergic reactions can increase mucus and protein deposits on the lens surface. This may reduce lens wettability and comfort over time. Regular maintenance with the correct cleaning solutions helps manage this issue. Your eye doctor may recommend specific enzyme cleaners for heavy deposit buildup.
In some cases, poor haptic alignment or inadequate fit can cause mechanical irritation to the tarsal conjunctiva, the inner surface of your eyelids. This condition is called papillary conjunctivitis. A precise lens fitting with your eye doctor can prevent this problem and ensure long-term comfort.
New scleral lens wearers often need time to adjust to insertion and removal techniques. The larger size of these lenses requires different handling than soft contacts. Most patients become comfortable with the process within a few practice sessions with guidance from their eye care team.
Your eye doctor will perform a thorough evaluation including corneal mapping and visual acuity tests. At Insight Vision Center Optometry, we use advanced diagnostic technology including the Pentacam for corneal tomography and the Tomey WaveDyn Aberrometer to create detailed maps of your eye's surface.
This information helps determine the best lens design to meet your visual and comfort goals while providing maximum protection from allergens.
Dr. Nathan Schramm, OD, FSLS, FBCLA and Dr. Thanh Mai, OD, FSLS, FIAOMC have advanced fellowship training in scleral lens fitting. They use the diagnostic data to design lenses tailored specifically to your eyes. Options may include HERO Scleral lenses or wavefront-guided custom designs depending on your needs.
Your eye care team will teach you how to insert, remove, and care for your scleral lenses. This hands-on training continues until you feel confident handling the lenses on your own. Follow-up appointments ensure the fit remains comfortable and the lenses continue to protect your eyes from allergens effectively.
Scleral lens wear requires periodic check-ups to monitor your eye health and lens condition. Your eye doctor will assess the fit, check for any corneal changes, and make adjustments as needed. This ongoing relationship helps ensure you get the best possible results from your lenses.
Contact your eye doctor right away if you experience any of the following while wearing scleral lenses:
Some minor discomfort during the adjustment period is normal. However, if discomfort persists beyond the first few weeks or worsens over time, schedule an appointment to have your lenses evaluated. Small adjustments to the fit can often resolve ongoing comfort issues.
Many patients wear scleral lenses for 12 to 16 hours daily. Your eye doctor will recommend a wearing schedule based on your eye health and comfort level. Some people may need shorter wear times initially while adjusting to the lenses. Over time, most patients can increase their wearing hours as their eyes adapt.
It is generally recommended to remove scleral lenses before swimming or showering. Water can introduce bacteria and other microorganisms that could cause eye infections. If you must swim with lenses, wear watertight goggles and clean your lenses thoroughly afterward. Discuss your specific situation with your eye doctor for personalized guidance.
Scleral lenses typically last one to two years with proper care. The exact replacement schedule depends on how well you maintain your lenses and any changes in your prescription or eye shape over time. Regular follow-up visits help determine when replacement is needed.
Midday fogging can sometimes occur as debris accumulates in the fluid reservoir. You can remove the lens, rinse it with sterile saline, and reinsert it with fresh solution. If fogging happens frequently, your eye doctor may adjust the lens design, recommend different filling solutions, or suggest sealing or coating treatments to reduce the problem.
Coverage varies depending on your insurance plan and the medical necessity of the lenses. Many plans cover scleral lenses when they are prescribed for specific conditions. Your eye care team can help you understand your benefits and provide documentation for insurance claims.
Scleral lenses can be appropriate for some children, depending on their maturity and ability to handle lens care. Dr. Valerie Lam, OD, FAAO, FOVDR works with pediatric patients who may benefit from scleral lenses. A thorough evaluation helps determine if a child is a good candidate for this type of lens.
